2014 Forage Conference at GCA

Forage production is the heart of Georgia’s beef industry. Our diverse forage systems are some of the best in the world. For the third straight year, the Georgia Cattlemen's Annual Convention began with the Forage Conference at the Georgia Cattlemen's Convention. This year's event was held on April 2, 2014 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, GA.

Program Details

We teamed up with the Georgia Cattlemen's Association to offer a great program on extending the grazing season and protecting one's forage crops.

In addition to beginning the program with an overview of the different tools that can be used to extend the grazing season by our very own Dr. Dennis Hancock, producers also had an opportunity to learn more about the very successful "300 Days of Grazing" program in Arkansas. Included in that were speakers from the Univ. of Arkansas who have worked diligently to help their producers implement grazing plans that reduce the amount of hay feeding in their state to something under 75 days per year.

Below is an outline of the presentations that were made, along with some additional resources for each topic. Click the link to access the slidesets in handout form or to access the supplemental links. All linked documents are in a PDF or html format.

Feeding Less and Grazing More

1. Forage Systems for Extending the Grazing Season (Dr. Dennis Hancock - UGA)
   1. Extending Grazing and Reducing Stored Feed Needs

300 Days of Grazing

1. Introduction (Dr. Tom Troxel - UArk)
2. Pasture Projects and Management (Dr. John Jennings - UArk)
   1. Arkansas 300 Days Grazing System: Getting Started
3. Cattle Management (Dr. Shane Gadberry - UArk)
4. Budget Information (Dr. Tom Troxel - UArk)
5. Nonconventional Forages in a Conventional System (Steve Jones and Kenny Simon - UArk)
6. Practical Tips and Tricks: Experiences in Arkansas (Kenny Simon - UArk)

Pest Management Update

1. Insect Management Update - 2014
   1. Biology and Control of the Green June Beetle
   2. Management of Fall Armyworm in Pastures and Hayfields
   3. Management of Imported Fire Ants in Cattle Production Systems
   4. Fire Ant Quarantine and Hay Transport Guidelines
   5. Blister Beetles in Alfalfa
   6. Perennial Grass Insect Control
   7. Alfalfa Insect Control
   8. Clover Insect Control
2. Weed Management Update - 2014
   1. Grass Pasture and Hay Field Herbicides
   2. Weed Response to Herbicides Used in Pasture, Hay and Forage Crops
   3. Weed Control in Grass Pastures and Hayfields
      1. Temporary Summer Grazing Weed Control
      2. Temporary Winter Grazing Weed Control
   4. Alfalfa Weed Control

Special Thanks:

Funds for this project were provided in large part by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service* administered by the Two Rivers Resource Conservation and Development Council and Georgia Grazing Lands Conservation Coalition (TRRC&D/GGLCC).

Sponsorships Were Also Provided By:

LongRange by Merial

Dow AgroSciences Range & Pasture

R.W. Griffin Feed, Seed, and Fertilizer

Wax Seed Company (1-888-Call-Wax)

DuPont Crop Protection

Agrotain Ultra and Koch Agronomic Services, LLC.